Michael Brookes's Blog, page 8
February 4, 2017
Five to Five Thousand Challenge - Gavin Smith
Author Gavin Smith is the latest to take the Five to Five Thousand Challenge and share his thoughts on what the future holds.
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When Michael told me about this blog I thought it sounded like a great idea. I did, however, find it a little daunting. Anyone who's read my work will know that I am much more a writer of adventure stories than I am a futurist, but the challenge appealed to me and I thought I would have a crack at it. So here goes:
5 years from now - The Post Factual Age
Utilising new-media forms, propaganda, and just making-shit-up, old-style capitalist opportunists, often masquerading as white supremacists/nationalists, take control of, or destabilise certain strategic countries. They encourage isolationist and divisive policies to dissuade a united resistance against corporate abuses and the increasing power of oligarchies. They systematically de-regulate certain industries, whilst stripping a way the rights of the average person in the street. This leads to a series of economic disasters and widespread civil disturbances.
Land grabs in Eastern Europe and a series of proxy wars leaves the world constantly on the edge of a global conflict. A resurgent Russia and China become the new superpowers, with India following closely behind, after Western Europe and America effectively self-sabotage. The real power, however, are the multinational megacorporations. Thanks to de-regulation many of them start hiring military contractors, effectively creating their own standing mercenary armies.
50 Years from now - The Post Capitalist Age (the Quiet Revolution)
Short termism and environmental neglect leaves the world on a knife-edge. Oligarchs lock themselves in armed compounds whilst automated factories, that employ nobody, churn out goods that people can't afford. As a result traditional economies begin to collapse. Around the world, however, people start to opt out of a zero-sum game that they have absolutely no stake in.
Initially adopting E-commerce barter systems and then establishing a secure and stable cryptocurrency, small farming, craft and tech cooperativesstart to trade amongst themselves. This movement grows and grows, microand crowd financing allows the tech and craft co-operatives to create mircrofacturing facilities.
Slowly the Quiet Revolution grows. Disparate talents from all over the world come together online, forming think tanks on everything from alternative socioeconomics, to orbital engineering.
At the same time as the Quiet Revolution is happening Pan-African cooperation increases and the continent experiences a period of prolonged stability and growth, finding itself able to (more) sustainably exploit its rich bounty of resources.
Despite the Quiet Revolution, despite the stability in Africa, and despite the significant drop in population, the result of the knock-on effects of various economic disasters, wars and climate catastrophes, Earth's environment is still struggling. Various think tanks around the world realise that for humanity to have a future they need to look beyond their own world. Released of the profit-for-profit's sake/bottom line predatory form of capitalism, and motivated by the potential collapse of the Earth's ecosphere, tech co-operatives and science think tanks are able to make extraordinary breakthroughs. Advances in the fields of warm fusion, carbon nano-fibres and super conductorslead to the largest and most ambitious engineering project in human history. The Beanstalk: a huge cargo elevator that climbs from the plains of Africa high into orbit, providing a cost-effective and safer way for humanity to leave Earth and explore space. Entirely crowd funded, the vast majority of humanity have a stake in the elevator, and profit from it. Slowly, but surely humanity began to bootstrap its way out into the Solar System.
500 Years from now - The Posthuman Age
Humanity has colonised the Solar System and begun its first steps beyond that. Advances in genetics, cybernetics and biotech have allowed humanity to technologically evolve to deal with the rigours of life in space and on other planets/moons. Humanity now comes in a myriad of different shapes and forms. Concepts like nationality have become irrelevant. Approaching a post-scarcitysociety, humanity is engaged in a species wide cooperative bid to explore space. Science, technology and the universe itself becomes the new metanarrative.
Seeing the mistakes they made with Earth, humans decide to mould themselves to the environment rather than terraform, when they colonise Mars. Extensive automated aerostat gas miningoperations take place in Jupiter'sturbulent atmosphere. Saturn also provides gas as well as ice from its rings. The Earth itself is renewed, having been allowed time to recover from the depredations of the industrial era. Cities are now wide-open, green areas. Plant life and living space for reintroduced animals are designed into the architecture.
Physicist think tanks 'peopled' by AI, cybernetic and genetically enhanced intellects plumb the mysteries of the universe. Humanity's first interstellar expedition leaves the solar system amongst a wave of species-wide enthusiasm and excitement. The expedition takes the form of a generation ship, effectively a city-sized interstellar habitat, propelled by a pusher plateusing repurposed nuclear weapons. It's destination: an 'Earth-like planet' orbiting Proxima Centauri.
5000 Years from now - The Post Science Age
What was once humanity has technologically evolved at an exponential rate. A singularityof consciousness is achieved. Able to observe quantum events, science becomes instinctual and difficult to differentiate from magic.
Advanced understanding of five dimensionalphysics allows post humanity to travel throughout the universe. The make contact with alien species that they deem they will not negatively impact when they reveal their existence. Many of these species are non-biological in nature.
Finally as all the secrets of the universe are unlocked by post-singularity consciousnesses, what was once humanity is faced with a choice. Some choose to remain locked inside their bodies of designer flesh and technology, which take the form of everything from an entire artificial star system, to a diffuse network of femnites. Others, however, chose to leave behind their flesh and tech bodies and use their consciousness to explore other realms. The species that began existence as little more than a few cells of life in a shallow warm sea, moves on to the next adventure.
"Hippy utopian bullshit?" Well perhaps but if you've read any of my books then you'll know I've done my time at the dystopian coalface. With some of the events unfolding in the world today I thought that I should write something upbeat.
"Not the way that science, economics and human nature work?" Again, perhaps, though I am fiction writer rather than a scientist, economist or sociologist. What I am conscious of is that much that is in the 50 year section is within our grasp. To achieve it comes down to a question of priorities, a question of human decisions. What do we want? Should we exist as a species to simply service oligarchies, a model we seem to be moving towards, or do we want to explore space? "Inner and outer", to quote Bill Hicks. I have no real problem with people being rich but when you look at the amount of capital that is locked up, doing so little, it is almost as if it has become an obscene prison for the oligarchs in question.
Anyway I hope you enjoyed the above flights of fancy, and thanks to Mike for the opportunity (to gain further understanding of my intellectual shortcomings). If you do fancy something a little grittier then please check out my new novel: Hangman's Daughter (Bastard Legion Book 1), available on Kindle in the UK hereand the US hereand on Audiobook in the UK hereand the US here.
Gavin G. Smith is the Dundee-born author of the hard edged, action-packed SF novels Veteran, War in Heaven, The Age of Scorpio and A Quantum Mythology, The Beauty of Destruction , as well as the short story collection Crysis Escalation and his most recent book, The Hangman’s Daughter (Book 1 of the Bastard Legion) is out now. He has collaborated with Stephen Deas as the gestalt entity Gavin Deas on Empires: the First Battle and Elite Dangerous: Wanted. You can find out more about Gavin by visiting his website, following him on Twitter @gavingsmith or Facebook.
-
When Michael told me about this blog I thought it sounded like a great idea. I did, however, find it a little daunting. Anyone who's read my work will know that I am much more a writer of adventure stories than I am a futurist, but the challenge appealed to me and I thought I would have a crack at it. So here goes:
5 years from now - The Post Factual Age
Utilising new-media forms, propaganda, and just making-shit-up, old-style capitalist opportunists, often masquerading as white supremacists/nationalists, take control of, or destabilise certain strategic countries. They encourage isolationist and divisive policies to dissuade a united resistance against corporate abuses and the increasing power of oligarchies. They systematically de-regulate certain industries, whilst stripping a way the rights of the average person in the street. This leads to a series of economic disasters and widespread civil disturbances.
Land grabs in Eastern Europe and a series of proxy wars leaves the world constantly on the edge of a global conflict. A resurgent Russia and China become the new superpowers, with India following closely behind, after Western Europe and America effectively self-sabotage. The real power, however, are the multinational megacorporations. Thanks to de-regulation many of them start hiring military contractors, effectively creating their own standing mercenary armies.
50 Years from now - The Post Capitalist Age (the Quiet Revolution)
Short termism and environmental neglect leaves the world on a knife-edge. Oligarchs lock themselves in armed compounds whilst automated factories, that employ nobody, churn out goods that people can't afford. As a result traditional economies begin to collapse. Around the world, however, people start to opt out of a zero-sum game that they have absolutely no stake in.
Initially adopting E-commerce barter systems and then establishing a secure and stable cryptocurrency, small farming, craft and tech cooperativesstart to trade amongst themselves. This movement grows and grows, microand crowd financing allows the tech and craft co-operatives to create mircrofacturing facilities.
Slowly the Quiet Revolution grows. Disparate talents from all over the world come together online, forming think tanks on everything from alternative socioeconomics, to orbital engineering.
At the same time as the Quiet Revolution is happening Pan-African cooperation increases and the continent experiences a period of prolonged stability and growth, finding itself able to (more) sustainably exploit its rich bounty of resources.
Despite the Quiet Revolution, despite the stability in Africa, and despite the significant drop in population, the result of the knock-on effects of various economic disasters, wars and climate catastrophes, Earth's environment is still struggling. Various think tanks around the world realise that for humanity to have a future they need to look beyond their own world. Released of the profit-for-profit's sake/bottom line predatory form of capitalism, and motivated by the potential collapse of the Earth's ecosphere, tech co-operatives and science think tanks are able to make extraordinary breakthroughs. Advances in the fields of warm fusion, carbon nano-fibres and super conductorslead to the largest and most ambitious engineering project in human history. The Beanstalk: a huge cargo elevator that climbs from the plains of Africa high into orbit, providing a cost-effective and safer way for humanity to leave Earth and explore space. Entirely crowd funded, the vast majority of humanity have a stake in the elevator, and profit from it. Slowly, but surely humanity began to bootstrap its way out into the Solar System.
500 Years from now - The Posthuman Age
Humanity has colonised the Solar System and begun its first steps beyond that. Advances in genetics, cybernetics and biotech have allowed humanity to technologically evolve to deal with the rigours of life in space and on other planets/moons. Humanity now comes in a myriad of different shapes and forms. Concepts like nationality have become irrelevant. Approaching a post-scarcitysociety, humanity is engaged in a species wide cooperative bid to explore space. Science, technology and the universe itself becomes the new metanarrative.
Seeing the mistakes they made with Earth, humans decide to mould themselves to the environment rather than terraform, when they colonise Mars. Extensive automated aerostat gas miningoperations take place in Jupiter'sturbulent atmosphere. Saturn also provides gas as well as ice from its rings. The Earth itself is renewed, having been allowed time to recover from the depredations of the industrial era. Cities are now wide-open, green areas. Plant life and living space for reintroduced animals are designed into the architecture.
Physicist think tanks 'peopled' by AI, cybernetic and genetically enhanced intellects plumb the mysteries of the universe. Humanity's first interstellar expedition leaves the solar system amongst a wave of species-wide enthusiasm and excitement. The expedition takes the form of a generation ship, effectively a city-sized interstellar habitat, propelled by a pusher plateusing repurposed nuclear weapons. It's destination: an 'Earth-like planet' orbiting Proxima Centauri.
5000 Years from now - The Post Science Age
What was once humanity has technologically evolved at an exponential rate. A singularityof consciousness is achieved. Able to observe quantum events, science becomes instinctual and difficult to differentiate from magic.
Advanced understanding of five dimensionalphysics allows post humanity to travel throughout the universe. The make contact with alien species that they deem they will not negatively impact when they reveal their existence. Many of these species are non-biological in nature.
Finally as all the secrets of the universe are unlocked by post-singularity consciousnesses, what was once humanity is faced with a choice. Some choose to remain locked inside their bodies of designer flesh and technology, which take the form of everything from an entire artificial star system, to a diffuse network of femnites. Others, however, chose to leave behind their flesh and tech bodies and use their consciousness to explore other realms. The species that began existence as little more than a few cells of life in a shallow warm sea, moves on to the next adventure.
"Hippy utopian bullshit?" Well perhaps but if you've read any of my books then you'll know I've done my time at the dystopian coalface. With some of the events unfolding in the world today I thought that I should write something upbeat.
"Not the way that science, economics and human nature work?" Again, perhaps, though I am fiction writer rather than a scientist, economist or sociologist. What I am conscious of is that much that is in the 50 year section is within our grasp. To achieve it comes down to a question of priorities, a question of human decisions. What do we want? Should we exist as a species to simply service oligarchies, a model we seem to be moving towards, or do we want to explore space? "Inner and outer", to quote Bill Hicks. I have no real problem with people being rich but when you look at the amount of capital that is locked up, doing so little, it is almost as if it has become an obscene prison for the oligarchs in question.
Anyway I hope you enjoyed the above flights of fancy, and thanks to Mike for the opportunity (to gain further understanding of my intellectual shortcomings). If you do fancy something a little grittier then please check out my new novel: Hangman's Daughter (Bastard Legion Book 1), available on Kindle in the UK hereand the US hereand on Audiobook in the UK hereand the US here.
Gavin G. Smith is the Dundee-born author of the hard edged, action-packed SF novels Veteran, War in Heaven, The Age of Scorpio and A Quantum Mythology, The Beauty of Destruction , as well as the short story collection Crysis Escalation and his most recent book, The Hangman’s Daughter (Book 1 of the Bastard Legion) is out now. He has collaborated with Stephen Deas as the gestalt entity Gavin Deas on Empires: the First Battle and Elite Dangerous: Wanted. You can find out more about Gavin by visiting his website, following him on Twitter @gavingsmith or Facebook.
Cthulhu Chess Set on Etsy
A 3D printed, hand painted Cthulhu inspired chess set with a board with two inch tiles.
“The Thing cannot be described - there is no language for such abysms of shrieking and immemorial lunacy, such eldritch contradictions of all matter, force, and cosmic order. A mountain walked or stumbled.
If I say that my somewhat extravagant imagination yielded simultaneous pictures of an octopus, a dragon, and a human caricature, I shall not be unfaithful to the spirit of the thing. A pulpy, tentacled head surmounted a grotesque and scaly body with rudimentary wings; but it was the general outline of the whole which made it most shockingly frightful.”
All pieces have weighted bases and felt pads to protect the boards.
This is a unique chess set that would make an ideal gift for any Lovecraft fan.
Note that these sets are made to order and may take up to 6 weeks to despatch.
Pieces are hand painted so may vary slightly from the photos.
The board is sourced to order to match the selected piece colours so may vary from the one shown.
Original concept art by Luciana Nedelea and 3D modelling by Sergio Mengual.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/286454989/cthulhu-chess-set
January 24, 2017
Whatever it Takes - Keep flying T-Shirt
Whatever it takes... Keep Flying! with this inspirational t-shirt from the Magic Owl Collection.
Original artwork by Katie Stewart.
Available in sizes Small to XXXL.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/490369412/keep-flying-t-shirt
January 22, 2017
Tau Ceti Mission - 21.08.2649 - Unnatural Storm
Image credit: http://1920x1080hdwallpapers.com/space/violet-wave-planet-moon-light/Sed reveals an unusual storm in his latest report from the Venti probe as it travels through the Epsilon Indi system:http://www.taucetimission.com/2017/01/21082649-unnatural-storm.html
Visitation of the Reaper Print from Old Ones Productions
This quality A3 print of an original painting by Luciana Nedelea is available from the Old Ones Productions Etsy store here:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/286454595/visitation-of-the-reaper-a3-print
I'm a huge fan of the woodcut style!
January 16, 2017
Book Review - The Evolutionary Void by Peter F Hamilton
I'll confess that I approached this final book in the Void trilogy with a little trepidation. The cause was my previous experience with the Night's Dawn trilogy - which was a fantastic read, but the ending fell a little flat for me. There was no need, this was a fantastic conclusion to the story. For me this has everything I look for in great sci-fi. There's some fascinating concepts here, mixed with good plot and characters. And for those who enjoy exotic weaponry, some well drawn fights.
The weakness of the story remains Edeard, and the dream within the void. Although these now fit into the wider plot more smoothly than for the previous books. It was also interesting to see how much of the conclusion was telegraphed from Inigo's dreams. It was also from these I caught a glimpse of where the story was heading.
Other aspects came as a surprise, and ratcheted up the tension of unfolding events. The pace of which far exceeded the previous books and really got things moving. In the previous books the number of different threads for the characters seemed excessive, but everything came together, without tripping over each other.
Carrying it all is the authors quality of writing. It's an accessible style which works when describing complex ideas, or mundane interactions between characters, and even arcane ship combat. He also creates a vivid world, with a complex set of ideas. I love a good story with aspects that are worth thinking about separately from the story, and in this, the book more than delivers.
Exposed as the Second Dreamer, Araminta has become the target of a galaxywide search by government agent Paula Myo and the psychopath known as the Cat, along with others equally determined to prevent-- or facilitate --the pilgrimage of the Living Dream cult into the heart of the Void. An indestructible microuniverse, the Void may contain paradise, as the cultists believe, but it is also a deadly threat. For the miraculous reality that exists inside its boundaries demands energy--energy drawn from everything outside those boundaries: from planets, stars, galaxies... from everything that lives.
Meanwhile, the parallel story of Edeard, the Waterwalker -- as told through a series of addictive dreams communicated to the gaiasphere via Inigo, the First Dreamer -- continues to unfold. But now the inspirational tale of this idealistic young man takes a darker and more troubling turn as he finds himself faced with powerful new enemies -- and temptations more powerful still.
With time running out, a repentant Inigo must decide whether to release Edeard's final dream: a dream whose message is scarcely less dangerous than the pilgrimage promises to be. And Araminta must choose whether to run from her unwanted responsibilities or face them down, with no guarantee of success or survival. But all these choices may be for naught if the monomaniacal Ilanthe, leader of the breakaway Accelerator Faction, is able to enter the Void. For it is not paradise she seeks there, but dominion.
Click here to buy The Evolutionary Void from Amazon
The weakness of the story remains Edeard, and the dream within the void. Although these now fit into the wider plot more smoothly than for the previous books. It was also interesting to see how much of the conclusion was telegraphed from Inigo's dreams. It was also from these I caught a glimpse of where the story was heading.
Other aspects came as a surprise, and ratcheted up the tension of unfolding events. The pace of which far exceeded the previous books and really got things moving. In the previous books the number of different threads for the characters seemed excessive, but everything came together, without tripping over each other.
Carrying it all is the authors quality of writing. It's an accessible style which works when describing complex ideas, or mundane interactions between characters, and even arcane ship combat. He also creates a vivid world, with a complex set of ideas. I love a good story with aspects that are worth thinking about separately from the story, and in this, the book more than delivers.
Exposed as the Second Dreamer, Araminta has become the target of a galaxywide search by government agent Paula Myo and the psychopath known as the Cat, along with others equally determined to prevent-- or facilitate --the pilgrimage of the Living Dream cult into the heart of the Void. An indestructible microuniverse, the Void may contain paradise, as the cultists believe, but it is also a deadly threat. For the miraculous reality that exists inside its boundaries demands energy--energy drawn from everything outside those boundaries: from planets, stars, galaxies... from everything that lives.
Meanwhile, the parallel story of Edeard, the Waterwalker -- as told through a series of addictive dreams communicated to the gaiasphere via Inigo, the First Dreamer -- continues to unfold. But now the inspirational tale of this idealistic young man takes a darker and more troubling turn as he finds himself faced with powerful new enemies -- and temptations more powerful still.
With time running out, a repentant Inigo must decide whether to release Edeard's final dream: a dream whose message is scarcely less dangerous than the pilgrimage promises to be. And Araminta must choose whether to run from her unwanted responsibilities or face them down, with no guarantee of success or survival. But all these choices may be for naught if the monomaniacal Ilanthe, leader of the breakaway Accelerator Faction, is able to enter the Void. For it is not paradise she seeks there, but dominion.
Click here to buy The Evolutionary Void from Amazon
Currently Reading - In The Devil's Dreams by Troy A. Scott
While visiting his mother at her secluded Waldport cabin, an English teacher is awoken in the night by screams. Something gigantic is heaving itself against the rickety front door, relentlessly pounding and scratching - and shrieking his name. The hideous creature seems to know everything about the man, and takes special interest in his wife’s deteriorating health.
On the other side of the world, a bleary-eyed detective works late, desperate to avoid the recurring dream of his fiancée’s murder. But when a bloodied child stumbles into the Pine Rest Police Department and collapses, the detective finds himself facing off against his worst nightmare.
In the Devil’s Dreams is the story of three broken people and the boy who links them. The lives and nightmares of the characters are elegantly interwoven, and the story is revealed through multiple points of view.
Click here to buy In The Devil's Dreams from Amazon
January 15, 2017
Winged Serpent T-Shirt from the Magic Owl Collection
A winged serpent stretches its wings on this t-shirt from the Magic Owl Collection.Original artwork by Katie Stewart.
Available in sizes Small to XXXL.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/505417543/winged-serpent-t-shirt
January 14, 2017
Dark Eyes Print from Old Ones Productions
A high quality A3 print of the 'Dark Eyes' painting by Luciana Nedelea is available from the Old Ones Productions store on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/505220337/dark-eyes-print
January 13, 2017
Dragon Flight T-Shirt From The Magic Owl Collection
A bronze dragon soars majestically on this t-shirt from the Magic Owl Collection.
Original artwork by Katie Stewart.
Available in black or white, and in sizes Small to XXXL.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/49152...
